The International Code Council (ICC) looks at how the construction landscape in the GCC is changing, especially with smarter materials, cooling, and policy changes.
Behind the GCC's towering structures and landmark megaprojects lies a critical question: how can the region build in a way that is not only transformative but also sustainable?
As urbanisation intensifies, construction is under mounting pressure to evolve. Sustainability is no longer optional, it is essential. The choices made today will shape the resilience and livability of tomorrow’s cities.
To meet this challenge, governments and developers across the region are actively rethinking how buildings are designed, constructed and operated.
From low-carbon materials to pioneering technologies and updated regulations, the GCC is making bold moves to create a greener built environment.
A major focus is on improving energy efficiency, particularly through smarter cooling.
In a region where air conditioning can account for up to 70% of a building’s energy use, upgrading HVAC systems is both an environmental and financial imperative.
This has spurred the adoption of passive cooling techniques, better insulation, and demand-driven systems powered by renewables, enabling climate control with a lighter carbon footprint.
Green materials
The materials used in construction are also undergoing a transformation.
Concrete, long the backbone of GCC development, is now being refined with low-carbon alternatives and advanced admixtures to reduce emissions without compromising strength or durability.
This shift is being accelerated through regional standardisation and innovation in cement technology.
In parallel, the GCC, particularly the UAE, is leading a global push toward 3D-printed buildings.
These structures reduce material waste, speed up project timelines, and allow for complex, custom designs. They represent a fundamental reimagining of how construction can be more efficient, scalable and sustainable.
Underpinning these efforts are national climate policies like the UAE Net Zero 2050 and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and Green Initiative.
These frameworks are driving practical action, not just policy statements, supported by updated building codes and new training pathways for professionals.
Programmes from bodies such as the International Code Council (ICC) are equipping the workforce with the skills needed to meet increasingly ambitious environmental standards.
The GCC’s approach to sustainable construction is comprehensive: it combines innovation, policy, and people. In doing so, the region is not just keeping pace with global trends, it is setting new ones.
Through its commitment to smarter, cleaner, and more responsible building, the GCC is demonstrating that environmental stewardship and architectural progress can, and must, go hand in hand.
Also read: ICC to showcase global building safety standards in Egypt
Is the GCC leading in sustainable construction?
A major focus is on improving energy efficiency, particularly through smarter cooling.
